Post-hole digger



(No Model.) v A J. VW. .EST]S. POST HOLE DG'GrER.V

No. 534,554. 115551155555519, 1895.v

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rares Aram einen.

POST-HOLE DIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,554, dated February `19, 1895. Application tiled April 6, 1894:. Serial No. 506 .616. (No model.)

.To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. ESTES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westville, in the county of Ohariton and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful- Post-Hole Digger, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of post hole diggers, wherein a series of downwardly and inwardly extending blades are employed and adapted to first form the hole andthen so grasp the dirt as to' be able to lift it out, thus completing the operation; and the invention lies in certain improvements in the head or main portion of the auger, whereby the blades are more conveniently and effectually secured in place and a more desirable tool produced.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention is fully illustrated, and therein-f Figure l represents a perspective View thereof; Fig. 2, a bottom plan of the head; Fig. 3, a section online oc-x of Fig. l; Fig. et, a section on line t/-y of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a detail perspective view of one of the blades;

Fig. 6, a similar View of one of the securing devices. Y

The reference letter a indicates the head of the device, which is formed of any suitable lnetal and triangular in shape. Secured by any preferred means to the top of the head a and in the center thereof is the handle b, which may be formed of any material or in any way, preferably of small piping, and provided with a cross piece b by which it may be operated. Formed on the under side of the head a and parallel with each edge, are the blade seats c, which are three in number and adapted for the reception of the Shanks d of the blades e. These seats are shaped as rectangular grooves and are each formed with their ends open and communicating with the ends of the contiguous seat. Each seat is inclined from the end `fto the end g. This inclination is such in relation to the .upper surface of the head a., and the end f is formed with a shoulderf, whereby the end g of the adjacent seat is allowed to pass by it and to keep its proper inclination without interruption.

The blades consist of the downwardly and inwardly extending blades proper, e, and the shanks d, which are formed integral with the blades proper, and extend approximately at right angles thereto. Thus by arranging the sh'anks d in the seats c so that their ends will project through the opening at the lower end, g, of the seat, and with the bend at the remaining end of the seat, the blades proper will be thrown with their points inwardly as seen in Fig. 1. By this construction the blades are given their proper inclination, and at the same time firmly and rigidly seated. In addition to this the ends of the Shanks are allowed to pass by the shanks of their companions and not interfere therewith, whereby the blades may be moved as close together as their points will permit without a conflict of their Shanks which would be the result were they not arranged out of horizon tal alignment.

h indicates the devices for securing the blades in their respective seats, and these consist of the hooked bolts passing through the head a and around the shankd, notches t' being formed in the edges of the heads for the reception of the hooked end. Each shank has the series of notches k formed therein, whichare adapted for the reception of the device h, whereby it is given a firm hold, and wherebythe shank is prevented from slipping. By loosening these devices, h, the blades e may be moved toward or from each other as desired, and the size of the hole formed by the implement regulated.

The mode of using my device does notdiffer from the use of other implements of its class, and therefore it will suffice for me to say that the instrument is pushed into the ground and simultaneously revolved so that its blades will operate to cut the earth and thus force their way into it and form the hole. When this has been done, the device is withdrawn and the dirt lying within the blades is lifted out with it, thus forming av complete hole. It will be understood that the blades are sharpened at one edge and twisted torsionally so that they will lie out of circular alignment, and consequently in position to form the hole.

Owing to the triangular shape of the head o. the dirt may be easily withdrawn without any suction beneath, since the air is freely admitted during the operation.

IOO

end of its companion, digging blades provided with Shanks arranged in such grooves, and means for adjnstably holding the shanks in place, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as I5 my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOH N W. ESTES.

Vitnesses:

J AMES D. PHILLIPS, T. J. RANDOLPH. 

